I read today that Paul Lambert doesn't like statistics. That's not surprising really, when you look at these facts:
- Villa have enjoyed less possession in Premier League games than every other team except Crystal Palace.
- Villa have scored fewer goals than every other team except Norwich and Crystal Palace.
- Villa games have produced fewer goals than those of any other team except Norwich.
- I've also recently seen a statistic that Villa play more long balls than any other team except Crystal Palace.
So our quality of play is very poor and we are very boring to watch. Even Big Sam's much-maligned West Ham play better football than we do. No wonder Lambert doesn't like statistics.
At the moment, we are five points clear of the drop zone. If ever that situation worsened, I dread to think of the reaction of our fans. Lambert's 'long ball cloggers' (yes, we also commit more fouls than anyone else) have Arsenal and Liverpool next up. Makes you shudder, as the nicked win at Sunderland really did paper over some huge cracks.
Sorry for the reality check.
Damning statistics
posted on 13/1/14
Just give us the three points next week and then you can do whatever you like with Lambert
posted on 13/1/14
Sigh.... Yes that "nicked" win at Sunderland, like the "nicked" wins against Arsenal, Man C, Southampton... Did they really paper over huge cracks, or simply show that we're rather better at winning than the 9 teams below us? As Lawro said, fans of those 9 teams would love to be in the position we are now.
Statistics: you're being very selective Lionbrad and even then you get it wrong. We've scored more goals than Norwich, Cardiff, Sunderland and Palace. Then there's the "awful" statistic that Villa games have produced fewer goals than everyone except Norwich; yep, and that could be explain why we've got a better goal difference than every team below us except Swans and Baggies. Would you like us to let in more goals just to improve that statistic? Would that be more entertaining? Would you like us to be in the bottom 3 because that would be more entertaining?
Well, here's another interesting statistic. Our much-maligned defence has let in less goals than any team below us. In fact, apart from the top 5 only Man U and Southampton have let in less goals than us. That's in spite that defence losing Okore early in the season and Vlaar for a good chunk.
Considering our injuries and the lack of form of some players, 11th is a pretty good place to be. Sure Lambert has taken a hard-headed approach, sure our players have been more cautious than last season. They don't want a repeat of last season's struggle, and neither, deep down, do the fans. We're in 11th because we deserve to be in 11th.
posted on 13/1/14
As a Palace fan I now feel like cutting my wrists, cheers bud
That aside, you have more points than 9 other clubs....................that's the only stat that matters
posted on 13/1/14
McParland - Football is very expensive these days and it SHOULD be an entertainment business. We are 11th but we are five points off the drop. We are one of 10 very poor teams (I don't include Swansea as they have suffered from being in the Europa League).and that's why it is all so bunched up, from 10th downwards in the league.
You are right about goals conceded. That's because we nearly always 'park the bus' BUT we are hard-working and resilient, like I've pointed out before. Lambert has sacrificed ALL style and quality to become more resilient. In fact, like I've also stated, Villa have become a hard-working, resilient team of League 1 quality.
You might 'like' that but I don't. It is a chore watching Villa play absolutely rubbish football and boring too. Didn't go tonight but watched it on the telly. To be fair, we were much better in the second half, even though Arsenal relaxed and switched off. If only we had been more positive tonight.
There may be an argument that Lambert's style is the right way to go, bearing in mind the lamentable quality of the squad. However, he is the one who has assembled this squad.
While we are five points clear, we are ok for now. We are TWO games from danger, with that gap. Like I've said before, if we can come out of the Everton game and still be two results from trouble, I will be very happy with that. Thankfully, results have gone amazingly well for us with Swansea, Hull, West Brom, Stoke, Norwich, Fulham and Palace all losing.
posted on 14/1/14
Lionbrad: Don't think it really is Lambert's style. Norwich under him played reasonable stuff, better than they're doing under Hughton. I do think he's become a bit more cautious, possibly out of necessity. If we hadn't had the injuries, if Benteke and co hadn't gone off form, then maybe we'd be playing the sort of stuff which flattened Sunderland last year. Maybe. And the players he bought last summer looked good on paper; I think some of them actually are, but it takes a season for most incomers from Europe to settle.
This ain't how I want Villa to play. But I'm prepared to be patient, in hope.